NEW FEDERAL RULES BREAKAWAY SIGN SUPPORTS ARE REQUIRED

Transcription

1 NEW FEDERAL RULES BREAKAWAY SIGN SUPPORTS ARE REQUIRED The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), which is the national standard used for all roads open to public travel, states that roadside sign supports in the clear zone shall be breakaway, yielding, or shielded. This requirement applies to all roads, whether publicly owned, or privately owned. Although State highway Agencies are generally in compliance already, the FHWA is concerned that many local agencies may not be aware of this requirement. Q. What does "breakaway" mean? FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS A. "Breakaway" is often used as an umbrella term to describe crash tested sign supports that break or bend upon impact. This includes sign supports that, when struck by a vehicle, separate from the base and are knocked ahead of or up and over the errant vehicle. It also includes "yielding" sign supports - Those that bend, allowing a vehicle to run over them. Q. Why are breakaway supports important? A. Rigid objects close to a roadway can become deadly hazards when struck by a vehicle that strays off the pavement. Even relatively small and innocent looking road sign or mailbox supports can be deadly if they are not designed to break away. Q. How long do I have to comply with this law? A. All non-breakaway sign supports and mailbox supports within the Clear Zone of roads posted at 50 MPH or greater shall be replaced by January On all other roads by a date to be determined. Q. What is the "Clear Zone"? A. A driver of a vehicle that leaves the roadway might be able to regain control of the vehicle and return to the roadway if the open space adjacent to the roadway is clear, unobstructed, and relatively flat. This area is known as the Clear Zone. Q. How wide is the "Clear Zone"? A. The width of the Clear Zone is a function of the speed of traffic, traffic volume, steepness of the side slopes, and curvature of the road. State highway agencies have accepted procedures for determining the required Clear Zones for roadways. Q. How will the minimum retroreflectivity ruling and the breakaway support ruling affect my budget? A. The FHWA recommends that the retroreflective sheeting be upgraded over a seven to ten year span. Costs can be minimized by coordinating the replacement of sign supports with the upgrading of the retroreflective sheeting of signs. Q. What are other ways breakaways will save me money? A. With most breakaway or yield and release systems, when a post is hit you simply remove the stub and insert a new post and hardware vs. digging a new hole. Also, with the correct tools, most systems can be easily installed by just one person. Please refer to pages for several breakaway systems. Information Provided by U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration

2 V-LOC Post Anchors V-Loc post ANCHORS FLUSH MOUNT Helps prevent vehicle rollovers by eliminating above-ground extensions. Reduces tort liability. NCHRP 350 APPROVED Safety for drivers. Breakaway feature will allow the product to breakaway from the car as it is struck. GUARANTEED REUSABILITY Saves the customer time and money as only the damaged post and wedge will need replacement. STABILIZER BAR & BOLT Will keep the post stable in any weather condition. Anti-twist and turning. Accessories V-loc is perfect for installation in concrete, asphalt, or earth. RHVLOCHDWP Wedge Puller Custom V-Loc's Available RHVLOCLDWP Wedge Puller RHCOBRACOMBI Cobra Combi 1 RHVLOCHDTIP Replacement Tip RHVLOCHDNUT Replacement Nut RHVLOCWEDWEDGE Wedge RHVLOCLDTIP Replacement Tip RHVLOCLDNUT Replacement Nut RHVLOCWEDINSERT Insert for High Stress Conditions Wedge & Insert Assembly 32 The V-Loc System allows you to reuse the anchor socket knockdown after knockdown; only the wedge and post will need to be replaced, saving you time and money. RHCOBRAMK1 Cobra MK 1 RHVLOCTROWEL For Cleanout Voice

3 U-Channel Posts & Accessories 1.12GR 2GR 1.12GA 2GA 3GA NOTE: PostS taller than 8 must ship truck line. U-Channel posts are manufactured from high tensile steel. Available in your choice of hot dip galvanized or green paint finish. Punched full length with 3/8 holes on 1 centers. Measured by length and pounds per foot. Other lengths and weights available in 50 piece bundles. Call for a quotation. RHLAPSPLICE Silver for 2-2½ lb posts ⅜" x ¾" x 5" Bolts RHB202 RHB203 ZINC CARRIAGE BOLT RHB202 - x3 RHB203 - x2 1/2 RHLAPSPLICEG Gold for 3-4 lb posts ½" x ¾" x 5" RHB102 ZINC HEX BOLT x2 1/2 Economical breakaway system by Marion Steel. FHWA & ASHTO approved (meets the revised July 1, 1990 FHWA Guidelines). Posts to 4 lbs. 2 special bolts & spacers join base post to top post. RHB303 ONE-WAY TAMPER BOLT x2 1/2 Stock # Size Finish RPOCG0352* 3.5FT 2LB Galvanized RPOCG061 6FT 1.12LB Galvanized RPOCG071 7FT 1.12LB Galvanized RPOCG062 6FT 2LB Galvanized RPOCG082 8FT 2LB Galvanized RPOCG0925 9FT 2.5LB Galvanized RPOCG102 10FT 2LB Galvanized RPOCG122 12FT 2LB Galvanized RPOCG123 12FT 3LB Galvanized RPOCP0352* 3.5FT 2LB Green RPOCP061 6FT 1.12LB Green RPOCP062 6FT 2LB Green RPOCP082 8FT 2LB Green RPOCP102 10FT 2LB Green RPOCP122 12FT 2LB Green * Base Posts for Breakaway Feature Lap Splice Breakaway System RHNUT ZINC NUT Place between sign and post and sign will not bend from over tightening. Galvanized anchor plate keeps post firmly in place. U-Channel Post Hardware RHVPNUT RHNUTFLUTED BREAKAWAY FLUTED TAMPER VANDAL PROOF NUT RESISTANT NUT Sign Saver BA080SAVER Anchor Plate BA080APLATEUCH U-Channel Post Breakaway Systems Nuts RHTN31 TUFNUT Washers Rivets RHWASH ZINC WASHER RHWASHNYLON NYLON WASHER RHWASHLOC ZINC LOCK WASHER RHBALM8BP # POST RHBALM8BP26-2# POST RHBALM8BP34-3-4# POST CHERRYMATE RIVET RHBALMGUN RIVET GUN RT2 TOOL FOR FLUTED NUT Fax 33

4 Round Posts & Brackets RPBZ300 Is also available for 3" O.D. posts RPBRPCLCAP Closure Cap RPORG10 10 FT. x 2⅜ IN. RPORG12 12 FT. x 2⅜ IN. Round Posts 2 ⅜" O.D. Round galvanized steel posts available in 10' and 12' lengths Wall thickness is.065" (16 gauge) Note: These posts must ship truck line Round Post Breakaway Systems post wedge socket RPOPOZLOCSW POZ-LOC Socket System - a simple, cost effective way to install small signs without digging, concrete, threading, or nuts and bolts. Simple to use, a socket assembly includes a socket & wedge. RPBCDC250 Dome Cap RPBZ238 Single RPBBB832 Back to Back For mounting sign to 2 3/8 O.D. round post. Priced per set. Single or back to back brackets and closure caps are available. FOR MOUNTING LARGE SIGNS RPOSLIPBASERD POZ-LOC SLIPBASE SYSTEM Our POZ-LOC Slipbase Signpost System allows signposts to break away improving safety, economy, and versatility. Now every signpost can break away, in order to minimize damage and maximize safety. Fits 2 ⁷/ ⁸ " Round Posts. Anchor Plates for Round Posts Solve your round post anchoring problem with these anchor plates designed to keep post from turning and reducing the need for concrete. BA080APLATE238 FITS 2 ⅜" - 3" DIAMETER POSTS 7.75" X 6.0" 0.3 LBS NET WT. RH141HEX SELF TAPPING METAL SCREW (2 REQUIRED) RH141HEXSETTER DRILL BIT FOR SCREWS Voice

5 Square Posts Easy, safe installation by hand or with power equipment. Convenient sign mounting before installation. Superior torsional strength. Versatile, four sided sign mounting, at any height. Fast, economical replacement of damaged sign posts. Re-usable materials. FHWA-approved yielding capability. Part # Size RP0SG GAUGE 1.75 RP0SG GAUGE 1.75 RP0SG GAUGE 1.75 RP0SG03122* 3 12 GAUGE 2.00 RP0SG GAUGE 2.00 RP0SG GAUGE 2.00 RP0SG GAUGE 2.00 RP0SG * 3 12 GAUGE 2.25 NOTE: Posts taller than 8 must ship truck line. Breakaway Anchor Installation A POZ-LOC Performance Post anchor can be driven into the ground first, allowing crews to work at ground level for quicker, cost-effective installations or replacement of damaged signposts. * BASE POST FOR BREAKAWAY FEATURE. Other sizes, gauges, and lengths available. Call for a quote. Square Post Breakaway Systems FOR MOUNTING LARGE SIGNS RPOSLIPBASESQ Our S-Q Post Square Slipbase sign support system allows signposts to break away, improving safety, economy, and versatility. Fits 2½" square posts. Square Post Hardware RHDRIVERIVETA Aluminum drive rivet for square post RPBSP175PCAP RPBSP2PCAP Pyramid Cap Fax RHCORNERBOLT Corner bolt to mount top post to base post. Choose a nut from page